Ferrer, Almagro lead Spain in Davis final

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PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro, undefeated in Davis Cup this year, have singles duty for Spain against the Czech Republic in this weekend's Davis Cup final.

Ferrer, No. 5 in the world, was set against Radek Stepanek in Friday's first singles match of the best-of-five series with Almagro taking on sixth-ranked Tomas Berdych in the second singles match.

The series is scheduled for a hard court in Prague's O2 Arena, where the Czech women won the Fed Cup earlier this month. Not since 1990, when the United States managed the feat, has a team won both the Fed Cup and Davis Cup in the same year.

The Czech Republic has a tough chore ahead as Spain, which has won the Davis Cup five times since 2000, is looking for repeat as champion as the tournament marks its 100th finals.

Ferrer and Almagro are both 5-0 in Davis Cup play in 2011. While Berdych is 5-0 in singles, Stepanek is 1-2. Previous series have seen the Czechs turn to Berdych and Stepanek for doubles, too, and they are 3-0 in those matches this year.

Spain has Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez set for Saturday's doubles match while the Czechs have penciled in Ivo Minar and Lukas Rosol but could again turn to Berdych and Stepanek.

As long as the series is in doubt they will be called upon Sunday, which opens with Ferrer taking on Berdych in the spotlight match of the weekend. The final match currently has Almagro going against Stepanek.

The Czech Republic is looking for its first Davis Cup title, although Czech players were involved the 1980 championship when competing for Czechoslovakia.